Newark – On Saturday, October 28, 2017 the Delaware State Police partnered with WDEL 101.7 FM, in hosting a “Cops and Kids” event to show appreciation to the students, staff and families of William B. Keene Elementary School, for their support of Troop 2 in the aftermath of the death of Cpl. Stephen Ballard.

In the days following, Keene Elementary School under the leadership of Principal Mariellen Taraboletti, proved to be good neighbors to the Troop 2 family on two specific occasions. On April 28th, two days after the tragic event, the students and staff of Keene, some 700 strong, formed a single file line and walked to Troop 2, to pay their respects, for Cpl. Ballard’s ultimate sacrifice. Once arriving at Troop 2, students and staff placed hand-made cards, flowers, balloons and other mementos at his patrol vehicle, which was on display at the main entrance. Then on May 4th, the school allowed a “Back the Blue” fundraising event to take place in their parking lot. The school not only allowed the use of their lot but members of the staff also volunteered in helping to place blue lines on vehicles. This 12 hour event raised over $50,000 dollars for the Cpl. Stephen Ballard Memorial Fund and would not have been possible without the assistance of Keene Elementary School.

The “Cops and Kids” event which had the feel of a neighborhood block party combined with a carnival, served two purposes. The main reason for the event was to allow the Delaware State Police to say thank you to Keene Elementary School, but it was also an opportunity for Troopers to interact with the community that we serve in a fun, informal atmosphere. These interactions go a long way to breaking down barriers, developing relationships and building strong partnerships between law enforcement and the community, specifically the youth in those communities.

The three hour event which took place on the grounds of Troop 2, featured a visit by eight Disney princesses from ‘Pursuit For Peace”, moon bounces provided by Inflatables-R-Fun, an inflatable archery range provided by Cabela’s, music by WSTW 93.7 FM, demonstrations by the Delaware State Police Helicopter and K-9 Unit as well as food and snacks provided by Malin’s Market. There were also special stuffed animal giveaways courtesy of PetSmart.

The highlight of the event was a visit from the Phillie Phanatic, who posed for pictures and gave hugs and high fives to everyone. Before leaving, the Phanatic made a special presentation to Cpl. Ballard’s widow, Louise Cummings and her daughter Abigail who were also in attendance. On behalf of the Philadelphia Phillies the Phanatic presented Louise and Abby with 2 MVP tickets to a future game, batting practice passes and a Phillies jersey bearing the number 2.

In closing, Troop 2 Commander, Captain Jason Sapp thanked the school as well as everyone who made the event possible. He also reminded us to not be discouraged by the voices of those who look to divide law enforcement and the community, they are just the “vocal minority”. It’s the “quiet majority” who stand with the men and women in law enforcement on a daily basis and through their actions, ultimately send the loudest message.

Bridgeville- The Delaware State Police Major Crimes Unit has arrested a woman in connection with a domestic related assault incident that occurred in Seaford.

The incident occurred on Saturday, October 28, 2017, at approximately 11:40 a.m. when the suspect was involved in a domestic related assault that occurred in the 25000 block of Haven Drive, Seaford. The suspect, 32-year-old Bridgeville woman, Shantae Cannon engaged in a verbal altercation with a 38-year-old male victim from Seaford. The altercation turned physical in which Cannon stabbed the victim with a butcher knife to his middle torso. The victim was transported to an area hospital by a personal vehicle, where he was admitted with non-life threatening injures.

On Tuesday, October 31, 2017, Cannon turned herself in at Troop 4, Georgetown. Cannon was charged with Assault First Degree-(Intentional Serious Injury-Weapon Dangerous
Instrument) and Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony. She was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 2 and committed to Baylor Women’s Correctional Institute on $20,000.00 secured bond.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and are in need of assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit/Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll-free hotline 1800 VICTIM-1. (1800 842-8461). You may also email the unit Director at debra.reed@state.de.us.

Magnolia- The Delaware State Police Criminal Investigations Property Unit have arrested a Magnolia man in connection with multiple residential burglaries that occurred in the area of Walnut Shade Road during the months of September thru October 2017.

During the investigation detectives were able to link the suspect, Robert E. Johnson, 30 of Magnolia to several residential burglaries from physical evidence and recovery of stolen property.

Johnson was arrested on a total of 25 felony and misdemeanor criminal charges which consisted of the following: three counts of Felony Burglary 2nd , two counts Felony Theft, two counts Misdemeanor Criminal Mischief, six counts Misdemeanor Selling Stolen Property, six counts of Misdemeanor Falsifying Business Records, and six counts of Misdemeanor Theft of by False Pretense. Johnson was arraigned at Kent County Court of Common Pleas and committed to James T. Vaughn Correctional Center on $39,200 secured bond.

Bridgeville – The Delaware State Police are currently investigating a shooting that occurred earlier this morning in Coverdale Crossroads, Bridgeville.

The incident was reported around 9:44 a.m. Monday, October 30, 2017, when calls of gunfire on Mill Park Drive were received by the Sussex County Emergency Operations Center (9-1-1) . Shortly thereafter, a 39-year-old male victim was transported to an area hospital by a personal vehicle, with several gunshot wounds to his upper torso.

Detectives made contact with the victim at the hospital who has been admitted and treated with non-life-threatening injuries.

At this time, no suspects have been developed.

This incident remains under investigation by the Delaware State Police Major Crimes Unit.

If anyone has any information in reference to this incident, they are asked to contact Detective R. Truitt at 302-752-3813. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, via the internet at www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and are in need of assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit/Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll free hotline 1800 VICTIM-1. (1800 842-8461). You may also email the unit Director at debra.reed@state.de.us.

Milton – The Delaware State Police are issuing a Gold Alert for Jesse Mitchell who was last seen around 9:00 a.m., Monday, October 30, 2017 walking away from the Fellowship Health Resource Center in Milton.

Jesse is a white male, 59 years of age, 5’8″ tall, 180 lbs., with blue eyes. He was last seen wearing black jeans, white sneakers with Velcro straps, and a burgundy plaid shirt.

Troopers have been unable to make contact with Jesse to check on his welfare. Attempts to locate him have been unsuccessful and there is a real concern for his safety and welfare.

If anyone has any information in reference to his whereabouts, they are asked to contact Troop 7 at 302-644-5020. Information may also be provided by contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet at http://www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com.

Bridgeville- Delaware State Police are seeking the public’s assistance in attempting to locate a wanted suspect in reference to a domestic related assault.

The incident occurred on Saturday, October 28, 2017, at approximately 11:40 am when the suspect was involved in a domestic related assault that occurred in the 25000 block of Haven Drive, Seaford. The suspect, 32-year-old Bridgeville woman, Shantae Cannon is wanted for Assault 1st and Possession of a Deadly Weapon During Commission of a Felony.

Anyone with information is asked to please contact Det. McCabe at (302)-752-3798, or if the suspect is observed in the public, please contact the Sussex Communication Center at (302)-855-2980. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, via the internet at www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com

Magnolia – The Delaware State Police have arrested a Felton man after he led them on a pursuit throughout a Magnolia area neighborhood.

The incident occurred around 12:10 p.m. Friday, October 27, 2017 as a trooper on patrol in the London Village Neighborhood observed a vehicle with a registration indicating the tag was lost or stolen. The trooper turned around in order to conduct a traffic stop, when the vehicle began southbound on Cherry Drive East within the neighborhood. While the driver attempted to negotiate a turn on Cherry Drive at Apple Run, he lost control and struck a mailbox in the 100 block of Apple Run. The vehicle which was later determined to be a white, 2008 Ford F150, then proceeded in an easterly direction before striking a tree and coming to a stop.

The operator of the vehicle exited and began fleeing the scene on foot. A foot pursuit ensued in which the trooper deployed his divisional issued Taser. The suspect, Curtis L. Brown, 27 of Felton, was taken into custody and transported back to Troop 3 in Camden. He was charged with Disregarding a Police Officer Signal, Receiving Stolen Property over
$1500, Resisting Arrest, Driving While Suspended or Revoked, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia Marijuana Related, and multiple other traffic related offenses. It was later determined that the Ford F150 was reported stolen out of Milford Police Department’s jurisdiction.

Brown was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 2 and committed to James T. Vaughn Correctional Center on $4,555 secured bond.

New Castle – A multi-agency operation conducted on Thursday, October 26, 2017 at targeted locations in New Castle County has resulted in the arrest of fifty-three individuals on criminal charges.

The operation took place in identified locations along the New Castle Avenue corridor, the South Market Street area, as well as the US 13 & 40 corridor, in response to numerous citizen complaints regarding ongoing criminal activity as well as other quality of life issues which have been occurring in these areas.

During the eight hour enforcement blitz, police arrested 53 individuals on criminal charges, seized a 9mm handgun, confiscated 142.5 grams of marijuana, 3.495 grams of heroin, 3 grams of crack cocaine and other drug related paraphernalia as well as recovering an assortment of stolen property. In addition to the criminal charges police also made 91 traffic arrests, which included one for DUI.

This initiative, which was a collaborative effort between the Delaware State Police, New Castle County Police, Wilmington Police Department, Newport Police Department, Department of Corrections, Probation and Parole and the Justice of the Peace Courts, highlights how the cooperation of multiple law enforcement agencies can effectively combat crime, which in turn increases the quality of life for the communities we serve.

New Castle – State Police have charged the operator of the tractor trailer involved in this mornings fiery crash with DUI.

The incident occurred around 2:38 a.m. Sunday October 29, 2017 as Jeffery B. Mosier, 55 of Pageland, South Carolina, was operating a tractor trailer carrying construction equipment northbound on I-95 merging onto I-295 northbound. For unknown reasons, the tractor trailer struck a construction impact attenuator that was centered between the I-95 and I-295 split before overturning and catching fire.

Jeffery Mosier was outside of the vehicle after it overturned and was transported from the scene by EMS to Christiana Medical Center. Upon his arrival at the hospital, a DUI investigation was conducted by troopers. After being treated and released with non-life-threatening injuries, troopers took Mosier into custody and transported him to Troop 6 where he was charged with 4th Offense Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol (three previous convictions; 2010, 2011, and 2014), Refused Breath/Blood Test While Operating a Commercial Motor Vehicle, and Failure to Remain within a Single Lane. He was arraigned at JP11 and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on $6,300.00 cash bond.

No photo available of Jeffery Mosier at this time. The tractor and trailer was completely destroyed as a result of the fire and was not identifiable. This subsequently caused a large brush fire and parts of the structure of Basin Road (SR141) overpass to also catch fire. I-295 in the area of the crash was closed for approximately seven hours.